Chapter 1782
She couldn''t quite pin down why she was so utterly infatuated with Ian. The moment she firstid
eyes on him, she felt an intense connection that seemed to tether her very soul to his.
A smile curled her lips just thinking about a future with him by her side, forever and always. She
was boiling over with excitement, eager for all of this toe to an end.
She fastened her movements with increased urgency, determined to optimize everyst data point
to perfection.
At 2 p.m. sharp, Bernard stepped out of his car and approached the quaint cottage.
The guard at the door had long been reced with one of his own men - a change that happened
two years prior.
He entered the premises without incident, but as he was about to step into the cottage, hesitation
gripped him for a moment.
The familiar facade tugged at his heartstrings, leaving a bittersweet taste in his mouth. Yet, in the
blink of an eye, heposed himself.
asionally, helicopters would buzz overhead - no doubt the other side''s attempt to survey the
area.
But Bernard was fearless. The area was locked down tight. Unless they were willing to risk the
hostages inside, they wouldn''t dare make a bold move.
And after tonight, he''d be free to escape through the underground passage to the border, never to
return.
His smile widened at the thought. Upon entering the room, he couldn''t even bear to nce at the
kitchen - Yvonne''s once favorite haunt.
Ascending the stairs leisurely, he observed that the upper floor had been transformed into a
laboratory.
It was his order to have it remodeled, yet he had never visited before. Now, for the first time, he was
here.
Sarah nced up at him, nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
"Mr. March, you''ve arrived."
Bernard wasn''t alone. Lingery followed close behind him. And when Queena caught sight of
Lingery''s face, so strikingly simr to Ian''s, her cheeks instantly flushed with heat.
Was this Ian''s doppelganger? The resemnce was uncanny.
Lingery stood behind Bernard; he had excellent fighting skills, Bernard’s trusted bodyguard. Bernard
took a seat in a corner of the room, his gaze fixed outside, quiet and poised.
The residents had sensed something was amiss, but they were too scared to venture out or contact
anyone on the outside.
From 2 p.m. onwards, allmunications had been jammed. Bernard''s lips twisted into a smirk as
he watched the trapped people, much like caged birds.
No matter how fierce the onught from outside, his external forces had been systematically
dismantled. But it didn''t matter - as long as he held this position, he''d prevail.
His phone was already turned off. At this critical juncture, he wouldn''t allow any interruptions. He
had shed so much blood, invested so much, all to bring his son and Yvonne back. He was resolute
in his mission.
Loudspeakers outside began to re, urging Bernard to surrender for leniency, to resist meant
severity.
Bernard scoffed. He nced around nonchntly, focusing on the experiments within, "Follow the
procedure to the letter. I expect no errors."
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Sarah nodded, "Rest assured, everything is proceeding as nned."
Military vehicles had surrounded the area, and helicopters periodically circled overhead. The
loudspeakers continued to re, asking Bernard to avoid further mistakes.
After three hours of one-sided shouting, the area remained eerily silent. Just when everyone
thought Bernard wouldn''t respond, his voice cut through the tension.
"It would be in everyone''s best interest to stay calm. This entire district is rigged with explosives
underground. Unless you want to see your loved ones blown to bits."
The reason why those people from outside hesitated to take action was because they were aware
Bernard got a backup n. Yet they’d never expected he’d be frenzied enough to bury explosives in
this area.
The loudspeakers had stayed silent for half an hour; a couple of higher-ups deliberated on their next
move. Those with family inside were gripped by a sudden, paralyzing fear.